Arsenal began their Champions League campaign with a hard-fought 2-0 victory over Athletic Bilbao at San Mamés on Tuesday night, thanks to late goals from substitutes Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard.
Last season’s semi-finalists were made to work for the points in a tight contest, but Mikel Arteta’s side showed resilience and depth, with the finishers making the decisive impact.
Martinelli broke the deadlock in the 72nd minute, just 36 seconds after coming off the bench, latching onto Trossard’s pass before coolly finishing past Unai Simón. The Brazilian then turned provider in the 87th minute, setting up Trossard to double Arsenal’s lead with a deflected strike.
“We started to grow throughout the game. In the second half, we were more fluent, dominant, and the finishers made the impact for us to win,” Arteta said. “The substitutes are at least equally important, if not more important. We’ve discussed that the finishers are going to be vital this season.”
Athletic, playing in the Champions League for the first time in 11 years, impressed early on with high energy and home support. Inaki Williams led the line in a team full of debutants, but they failed to convert chances, with David Raya denying Williams and Alejandro Berenguer shooting wide.
Arsenal, missing Bukayo Saka among others, grew into the game through Viktor Gyökeres’ movement and Noni Madueke’s persistence. Gyökeres twice came close before the break, while Merino and Declan Rice also tested the Bilbao defence.
The victory gives Arsenal the perfect start to their group-stage campaign as they chase their first Champions League title in club history.
